Assembly Republicans will hold a public hearing next week on Governor Scott Walker’s Department of Transportation budget proposal. In an unprecedented move earlier this year, the governor issued an open letter to Secretary Gottlieb instructing the department on how to develop its 2015-17 budget.

Rep. Keith Ripp, chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, announced that his panel will hold an informational hearing on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 in the JFC hearing room, 412 East, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

“These hearings are a necessary first step for the legislature in understanding the lasting ramifications of the department’s budget request,” Rep. Ripp said. “Our final transportation budget must reflect long-term transportation needs for our state and local roadways, while also promoting safety and reliability.

TDA and others representing local governments, businesses and industries have been invited to provide testimony.

President-Elect Donald Trump announced that he will nominate Elaine Chao to be the next United States Secretary of Transportation.

Chao has a long and distinguished career in public service. She helped lead federal highway, transit and aviation programs as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) during the George H.W. Bush administration. She was labor secretary through both terms of the George W. Bush administration. Earlier, Chao was deputy administrator of the U.S. DOT’s Maritime Administration, and chairwoman of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Chao is also the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Dave Brose TDA's 2016-2017 President

David Brose, senior vice president at EMCS, was elected the Transportation Development Association’s 40th president at the annual business in Madison earlier this month. He will serve a one-year term.

Brose has been with EMCS since 1990. Besides TDA, he is active in several industry associations.

He was first elected to the TDA Board in 2011 and joined the organization’s executive committee in 2012.

Other members of the 2017 TDA Executive Committee:

1st Vice President: Bill Johnson, Johnson Timber Corporation

2nd Vice President: Tom Bressner, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association

Secretary: Allison Bussler, Waukesha County

Treasurer: Tim Peterson, James Peterson Sons, Inc.

Immediate Past President: Jerry Derr, Town of Bristol

Thanks to all for their service.

Thanks Annual Meeting Sponsors

Aegis Corporation

American Council of Engineering Companies of Wisconsin

Ayres Associates

EMCS, Inc.

Fabick Cat

HNTB Corporation

International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 139

Johnson Timber Corporation

Mead & Hunt, Inc.

Miller-Bradford & Risberg, Inc.

OMNNI Associates

Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc.

Wisconsin Asphalt Pavement Association

Wisconsin Concrete Pavement Association

Wisconsin County Highway Association

Wisconsin Laborers’ District Council

Wisconsin State Council of Carpenters

Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association

Just Fix It Update

Walters: Speaker Vos playing mythbusterBeloit Daily News

November 28,2016

THE CABLE TV show MythBusters may have ended eight months ago, but Assembly Speaker Robin Vos created his own version of the popular show. Vos gave Capitol reporters a 27-page copy of a study, “No Easy Answers,” that he said debunks the myth — held by Republican Gov. Scott Walker and others — that Wisconsin has no need to raise transportation fees or taxes to fix a critical funding problem.

Vos did not use the Legislature’s non-partisan budget office to conduct the study, which he gave to Assembly Republicans who sought re-election on Nov. 8, because it included some political research.

The report’s introduction said: “Everyone agrees that we need to find real, sustainable solutions that will allow us to build and maintain the infrastructure that moves Wisconsin people and products around, but that’s where the agreement ends.”

“Just Fix It” was echoed from every corner of the state on Sept. 29, when thousands of local government leaders and concerned citizens brought attention to an issue that has moved to the forefront on their “to do” list — namely finding a sustainable solution to our transportation woes.

“Turnout for Transportation” was hosted by local government officials in 70 locations around Wisconsin. A statewide local government meeting like this had never occurred before in Wisconsin’s 168-year history. That alone should tell people something. The level of frustration over our collective inability to address this most basic function of government spurred our county supervisors, aldermen, village trustees and town supervisors to provide leadership to move the dialogue forward. read more

Sign Petition Now!

Please sign a petition to tell state elected officials to
STOP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

It is time for a comprehensive, sustainable solution to Wisconsin's transportation challenge.

If you haven't signed the petition already,
click here to take action now.

More than 550 Resolutions

Click the image to view a larger map and a listing of the cities, towns, villages and counties that have passed the resolution.

And thanks to all the communities that have stepped up to show their support for transportation.

Still Looking for Stories & Pictures

We can't have too many stories and pictures. Go to
www.JustFixItWI.com, and with your phone, in your location, take a picture of the issue and submit your transportation story. Of course, you can also do this on your computer, but it is just not as cool. And remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Association News

TDA Fly-in to Return in 2018

With a new administration coming to DC in 2017, there is increased demand for convention space next spring. This combined with a tight schedule of conflicting events has made securing hotel space during March or April really tough. And moving the event to May would bring the event squarely into the construction season and perhaps be a challenge for those involved with the 2017-2019 state budget process.

So TDA’s plan is to focus on state funding and the Just Fix It campaign in the first part of 2017, while we will begin planning the 2018 Fly-in. We will continue to monitor federal transportation issues and provide opportunities for members to provide input to our congressional delegation.